11 Signs of an Overstimulated Baby and How to Soothe Them

Overstimulation looks a little different in every child, but you might notice some common signs in a baby, including:

• crying, usually louder than usual
• withdrawing from your touch or turning their head away from you
• wanting to be held
• wanting to nurse more frequently
• being very fussy or irritable
• clenching their fists or waving their arms and legs
• acting scared
• having temper tantrums
• moving in a frantic or jerky way
• acting very tired
• engaging in self-soothing measures, such as sucking on hands or fists

Toddlers and older children might have different signs of overstimulation. For instance, you may notice:

• crying without being able to explain what’s wrong
• throwing themselves on the ground in anger
• acting out
• refusing to listen
• acting grumpy, aggressive, or hyper

You can take some steps to calm an overstimulated baby:

1. Remove them from the situation

When you notice that your baby is overstimulated, the first step you should take is to change the environment to someplace quieter and darker, said Kathrotia.

This can be a nursery, a dark room in the house, a baby wrap or carrier on your chest, a stroller, or even their car seat. Just make sure the room is quiet and talk with your baby in a calm, soft voice.

If possible, avoid bright colors because they can be stimulating.

2. Swaddle your baby

You might also want to consider swaddling your baby. Swaddling applies steady pressure, mimics the coziness of the womb, and dulls their startle reflex, which some babies find soothing.

But not all babies like being swaddled — so if your little one doesn’t, that’s OK.

3. Soothe them with white noise

You can also play soft music or turn on a sound machine or white noise machine. Just avoid TVs or phones — experts agree these are too stimulating for children under age 2 years.

4. Hold your baby, but be prepared to give them space

Some babies want to be held or touched, but many don’t.

In fact, said Kathrotia, babies in the “purple crying phase” of their development — which is roughly between the ages of 2 weeks and 4 months — might resist touch and cuddles when they’re overstimulated because that’s precisely what is overstimulating them.

If your little one seems to pull away from your touch, lay them down on their back in a safe place, like their crib, and sit nearby until they calm down.

Every baby is different, but some of the things that could overwhelm your little one include:

• Environment: Some babies might get overwhelmed by noisy, crowded, brightly lit, or colorful places.
• Excessive screen use: TVs, phones, and other devices can all be too much for a baby’s brain to process before they’re at least 18 months old. That’s why the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends avoiding screen use with infants.
• Too much activity: There’s a reason toddlers sometimes have a meltdown at the end of their birthday party or a long day outside at a park. Too much activity can overwhelm their senses.
• Missing a nap or going to bed late: Being overly tired can quickly overwhelm your baby.
• Disruption in routine: Babies are creatures of habit, and a schedule change can make them cranky.
• Too many people: Some babies might like meeting a lot of people, while others will get quickly overwhelmed by new faces or crowds.
• Temperature: Getting too cold or warm can play a role in overstimulation.
• Teething: Although temporary, teething can irritate your baby and make them less tolerant to other stimuli.
• Certain medical conditions: For instance, autistic children have a more sensitive sensory system, so it’s easier for sights, sounds, touch, smells, or tastes to overwhelm them. A child who is coming down with an illness may also become overstimulated more easily.

It’s completely fine for your baby to get overstimulated sometimes.

In some cases, frequent overstimulation could be a sign of something else, such as sensory issues or autism.

You may want to discuss what you are seeing with your doctor if:

• Your child’s behavior interrupts everyday routines.
• Your child is having trouble moving or standing.
• Your child’s reactions are too difficult to manage on your own.

You should also make sure to go to all of your child’s well visits, so your doctor can monitor their development and behavior. If your child does not seem to meet the developmental milestones for their age — or if your child is regressing from milestones — talk with a doctor.

When your baby is overstimulated, any stimuli — including sounds, sights, smells, and touch — can easily overwhelm them and cause a meltdown.

This can be difficult for any parent to handle, and it can get worse if it’s not addressed.

The best thing you can do is to learn what overstimulates your baby. Then you can either avoid situations that trigger them, plan ahead, or quickly remove your baby from the situation when they show signs of overstimulation.

Here are some things you can do to limit or avoid your child getting overstimulated:

Schedule breaks

Make sure your child gets downtime between different activities or events. For example, if you go to the park, make sure your baby gets time to nap at home after. Or, if you’re introducing your baby to friends and family, take them to a quiet room for small breaks from all those snuggles. The breaks should be in quiet, familiar places that your baby knows well.

Keep activities short

Your baby — especially in those first few months — isn’t ready for marathon days full of errands, meetings, and more. Try to schedule outings in short, predictable increments.

Create a routine and stick to it

Try to stick to a set feeding or mealtime, naptime, and bedtime schedule, even if you’re away from home.

Limit screens

Screens should especially be avoided under age 2 years. Try offering a book or plush toy as a distraction instead of screens.

Respect your child’s personality

If your baby gets overstimulated around big crowds, respect that. You’re not going to change their personality by overwhelming them — it’s only going to try your patience and make things more challenging.

Reach out if you need help

A doctor can help you tell the difference between expected behaviors and ones that may indicate an underlying condition. They can share tips to help you cope and recommend additional testing, if needed.

It can be tough caring for an overstimulated baby but try to remember: At that moment, your overwhelmed child doesn’t know how to tell you that they are uncomfortable.

The best way to make things better for you and your little one is to remove the stimuli upsetting them and help them calm down.

You can also plan ahead to try to minimize the likelihood that your child will become overstimulated in the first place. If things are becoming hard to manage, be sure to talk with your child’s pediatrician to get some help.